Almost 75% of England’s riverbanks ‘off limits’ to public, figures show
Summary
Nearly 75% of riverbanks in England do not allow public access, according to research by the Right to Roam campaign. The group is urging the government to create legal rights for people to use rivers and their banks for activities like swimming and walking.Key Facts
- The study found 71% of riverbanks along main rivers and small streams in 89 river areas had no public land or paths within 100 meters.
- Across England and Wales, 96% of rivers have no legal right for people to use the water itself.
- Many river access problems exist even near urban areas and popular walking routes.
- Some walking trails named after rivers do not run alongside them because access is blocked by private land.
- Campaigners want the government to start a consultation on expanding nature access and include a right to use rivers.
- The government has planned nine new national river walks, but the first one along the River Mersey hasn’t improved public river access.
- Public interest in river access has grown due to recent heatwaves, as people look for outdoor cooling spots.
- Regional differences in riverbank access are large, with some areas like Middle Shropshire having 90% of riverbanks off limits.
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